At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with complex needs in a fun and engaging environment.
- Company: Join a respected charity dedicated to empowering young people.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, discounted childcare, gym membership, and more!
- Other info: Flexible hours and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while having fun.
- Qualifications: Experience with disabled children and a passion for support.
The predicted salary is between 13.45 - 13.45 £ per hour.
Employment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Casual Worker
Application Start Date: 28-05-2026
Application End Date: 30-06-2026
Location: West Sussex
Work Style: On-site
Industry: Non-profit charitable organisations
Working Hours: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm or 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Locations: Crawley, Horsham
Our Mission
We passionately believe that all children and young people, whatever their needs, should have the opportunity to play, participate and develop in a fun, supportive environment where they can meet their friends and discover their full potential.
Key Responsibilities
- To provide high level of support for children and young people with complex needs, ensuring care and behaviour plans are understood and followed.
- Assisting children to engage with activities providing appropriate support and help to achieve desired outcomes.
- Provide and supervise the hygienic provision of personal care, ensuring privacy and dignity, and recording in care plans.
- To store and administer medication, after appropriate training, for children keeping accurate and up to date records.
- Assist with moving and handling of children with restricted mobility, after appropriate training, including hoisting and use of mobility equipment.
- Regular use of aids to support communication and sensory impairment needs.
- Provide high level of diligence and surveillance for the child you are supporting, including personal hygiene, behaviour, nutrition, sensory and play needs, feeding back any new observations to the Leader.
- Accompany children on trips, following procedures and policies, risk assessment and keeping them safe whilst providing high level of support.
- Supporting children with eating and drinking as specified within their care plan and guidelines.
- To work as part of a team of Play and Youth Workers or volunteers to ensure that the service provided is high quality and appropriate for the children and young people who attend.
- To build positive and professional relationships with children and young people.
- To ensure the Health and Safety of children and young people and colleagues, above all, ensuring that Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Adults at Risk policies are adhered to.
- To assist senior staff in the play or youth setting to ensure its smooth and reliable operation including setting up and packing down sessions.
- To contribute to the planning, organisation and delivery of activities, ensuring they are adapted where appropriate to be accessible to all children to the best of their abilities.
- To ensure that all materials, equipment and service spaces are maintained, kept safe and stored appropriately in line with current procedures.
- Completion of paperwork logs of care provided and observations on child's day with outcomes achieved.
Pay and Benefits
- PAY: £13.45 per hour (£8.00 for under 18s), plus rolled up annual leave.
- Real Living Wage for employees over the age of 18.
- Be part of a long-standing and well-respected charity.
- Discounted childcare for permanent employees.
- Gym membership and free access to all leisure facilities for permanent employees.
- Eligibility for Blue Light Discount Retail Card.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Free access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
- On-site parking.
Requirements
- Experience or transferable experience in working with disabled children and young people.
- Must possess an Enhanced DBS (including the Children’s and Adult’s barred lists) and reference checks.
- Successful candidates must have the legal right to live and work in the UK without restrictions. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Equal Opportunity and Inclusion
We are committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment.
Accessibility
If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact HR at HR@ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk.
Disability Play and Youth Worker in Crawley employer: YMCA East Surrey
As a dedicated non-profit charitable organisation, we pride ourselves on creating a nurturing and inclusive environment for both our employees and the children we support. Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our competitive pay, comprehensive benefits including discounted childcare and gym memberships, and a strong focus on professional development. Join us in West Sussex, where you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Disability Play and Youth Worker in Crawley
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by YMCA East Surrey.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like YMCA East Surrey.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at YMCA East Surrey.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at YMCA East Surrey. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Disability Play and Youth Worker in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of YMCA East Surrey. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Disability Play and Youth Worker, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at YMCA East Surrey
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of YMCA East Surrey. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
